Hi guys me agaDepression gonna go back to my doctors and ask again about potential Armenia/b12 deficiency but would like to know what i need to ask for test wise?

I've already had bloods tests Fatigue Armenia as well as a raft of other tests but they all came back within normal lab ranges. Also doctor didn't really tell me what all the tests were.

I need to do this right otherwise I won't get taken seriously as last time I went as I've already said before I got robbed off n got told it was all anxiety and in my head.

Current symptoms

Fatigue

Tiredness

Muscle pain

Muscle stiffness

Dizziness

Lightheaded

Breathlessness

Nausea

Reflux

Depression

Anxiety

Memory problems

No moons and ridges on fingers

Dry skin and delayed healing of wounds

Seems surgery doesn't wanna spend anymore money on me if every test is coming back within their guideline rules. GP obviously isn't up to scratch on these issues I'm having and feels put by me telling them what's wrong with me. Either that or they simply out of funding to use for more tests which I been told by my podiatrist could be case as she admitted she wasn't allowed to refer me to MSKAT due to an on going argument over money.

7 Replies

Hi guys me again im gonna go back to my doctors and ask again about potential Armenia/b12 deficiency but would like to know what i need to ask for test wise?

I've already had bloods tests as well as a raft of other tests but they all came back within normal lab ranges. Also doctor didn't really tell me what all the tests were.

I need to do this right otherwise I won't get taken seriously as last time I went as I've already said before I got robbed off n got told it was all anxiety and in my head.

Current symptoms

Fatigue

Tiredness

Muscle pain

Muscle stiffness

Dizziness

Lightheaded

Breathlessness

Nausea

Reflux

Depression

Anxiety

Memory problems

No moons and ridges on fingers

Dry skin and delayed healing of wounds

Seems surgery doesn't wanna spend anymore money on me if every test is coming back within their guideline rules. GP obviously isn't up to scratch on these issues I'm having and feels put by me telling them what's wrong with me. Either that or they simply out of funding to use for more tests which I been told by my podiatrist could be case as she admitted she wasn't allowed to refer me to MSKAT due to an on going argument over money.

Much love

2 years agoHidden

Hi Bennyboy,

A history of years using PPI's could have affect your uptake of B12 and therefore with the symptoms you have further investigations could be good, tests such as active B12 test and or MMA, homocysteine; would be useful if your serum B12 levels are low normal. To know this you need to get copies of your blood tests. These you should ask for from your surgery, they may charge, but with the freedom of info act you have a right to ask for them.

Your symptoms could be caused by a host of other issues such as thyroid, other vitamin deficiencies etc, so its not that easy to answer your question.

Depending on what tests you may already have had, and their results etc the above mentioned tests may be useful if symptoms imply B12 def, as advised in the new BSCH guidelines forB12 and folate def‏ , see:

 The clinical picture is the most important factor in assessing the significance of test results assessing cobalamin status since there is no ‘gold standard’ test to define deficiency.

 Serum cobalamin remains the first line test currently, with additional second line plasma methylmalonic acid to help clarify uncertainties of underlying biochemical/functional deficiencies. Serum holotranscobalamin has the potential as a first line test, but an indeterminate ‘grey area’ may still exist. Plasma homocysteine may be helpful as a second line test, but is less specific than methylmalonic acid. The availability of these second-line tests is currently limited.

 Definitive cut-off points to define clinical and subclinical deficiency states are not possible, given the variety of methodologies used and technical issues, and local reference ranges should be established.

 In the presence of discordance between the test result and strong clinical features of deficiency, treatment should not be delayed to avoid neurological impairment.

 Treatment of cobalamin deficiency is recommended in line with the British National Formulary. Oral therapy may be suitable and acceptable provided appropriate doses are taken and compliance is not an issue.

 Serum folate offers equivalent diagnostic capability to red cell folate and is the first line test of choice to assess folate status.

I have these symptoms too. They do try to fob you off. I got told CFS, fibro, dr said I'm fine, I'm not anaemic (yet I'm on iron tablets for anaemia), B12 def and vit D deficient and I've cortisol problems.